Predictions:
GROUP A
Angband - Ancalagon, amazing 'fire' power and the best player in the entire group. Plus solid defense, should win group easily.
Alqualonde - I think they will upset the host Moria, who from what I remember typically has some team problems. Osse and Cirdan should be good enough to move them past the 1st round, but no further.
Moria (H) - They have Durin's Bane, but hey suspect defense and team chemistry will be a problem. And I doubt even being the host team will help...their fans are more likely to slay their own players, let alone cheer for them.
Minas Tirith - Aren't going anywhere. Only weapon is Aragorn and when all your defenders are older than the shelf life of twinkies you have a problem.
Group B
Mirkwood (H) - Scatha will lead the team...I really love dragons as players.
Nargothrond - See above, they have Glaurung, plus Beren and Mablung, but Scatha will still dominate the group. Solid defense that will help Orodreth.
Arnor - Will be the best defensive team of the group, but lack the scoring ability of Mirkwood and Nargothrond.
Helm's Deep - Won't win a game, this is a tough group, but even if they were in the D-lister league these guys still wouldn't win one.
Group C
Hithlum - Feanor, hands down the best player in the whole tournament, this team will go deep into the tourney.
Gondolin - Have the talent to win a group, but not a group that has Hithlum.
Minas Morgul - The WK and...?
Isengard (H) - They would probably be able to beat Helm's Deep, but won't beat anyone in this group
Group D
Eregion - They will win a lot of games 1-0, but they will win a lot of games.
Erebor (H) - Smaug...have to continue to go with the teams that have dragons.
Osgiliath - The defense could be good enough to upset Erebor, but no one will beat Eregion.
Mordor - These guys really have fallen apart from the past years that I remember at least.
Group E
Lothlorien (H) - probably the weakest and most wide open group, anyone can win it. But with Galadriel it is Lothlorien's to lose.
Doriath - Her protege, Galadriel has turned out stronger, but Melian is someone who will be difficult to score on.
Dor-Lomin - I am not sold on Turin, as someone who can carry a team past the 1st round
Armenelos- Sauron is one of the most overrated players in the tournament and being paired with Ar-Pharazon, the chemistry will not work.
Group F
Taniquetil - Solid team all around, they will win the group handily.
Edoras - my early round upset pick. They don't have any glaring superstars, but will work well together. Eorl will provide the offense, Eomer and Eowyn are underrated.
Dorthonion - Most people might pick Dorthonion over Edoras, but that won't happen.
The Shire (H) - The only reason I have the hobbits 4th in their group is because they have no talent and will have to rely on the referees to do anything. It is well known that they always get preferential treatment from the refs, and that should continue, but they still won't win...that's how bad the talent is on this team.
Group G
Tol-In Gaurhoth - Should win this group, but it will be a battle, they have yet to field their entire team, which means they will not have had many days to practice together.
Gondor - The quick strike attack and combo from Boromir, Faramir, and Imrahil will get Gondor past the first round, but no farther.
Tuna (H) - Overrated, plus they will lose Finarfin to injury after running into TIG and
Eomer.
Brethil - One of the worst teams
Group H
Valimar - Stout defense and early reports say Melkor has become a much better team player, if so, this group will be tough to beat, even past group play.
Bree (H) - Nothing will get past the might tree goal-tending and the painfully annoying Tom Bombadil will cause many of Bree's opponents to run on their own swords.
Romenna - With Valimar and Bree in their group, Romenna won't be able to score.
Amon Sul - only difference maker is Elendil, and that will not be enough.
Most Goals - Feanor
Most Assists - Hurin
Most Total points - Maedhros
Champion - Hithlum, will be the 2nd best defensive team (behind Eregion) but Feanor and Maedhros will scare more teams than Glorfindel and Gil-Galad